Two challengers seek to unseat Tuffy Quinonez in Rockford s 11th Ward
ROCKFORD First-term Alderman Tuffy Quinonez will face a pair of Democratic challengers in the Feb. 23 primary election.
A retired barbershop owner, Quinonez, 74, in February 2017 unseated then incumbent Karen Elyea and defeated another challenger to win his seat on City Council representing near southeast Rockford including the Midtown District.
Quinonez said he is campaigning hard despite the cold, encouraging voters to take advantage of early voting. He said he is seeking re-election to complete unfinished business and build on the city s strengths including the Chicago Rockford International Airport. The airport is a major strength for Rockford, bringing in good-paying jobs, Quinonez said.
ROCKFORD A pair of Republicans who say they are the best choice to represent the city s 12th Ward are campaigning for the seat once held by the late John Beck.
Mark Yone is a 40-year-old union dairy worker and lifelong Rockford resident who said that if elected his service would honor the memory of Beck, a beloved alderman and advocate for the disabled who died in April 2020 at age 57 after 19 years on the City Council. I love Rockford, Yone wrote in response to a Rockford Register Star questionnaire. I was born here, raised here, and it s where I m raising my family. I ve been with Rockford through thick and thin and know that Rockford has great potential, and look forward to the future of this wonderful city.